The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-04-06
The Dispute of the Trees.

One summer day, when the sky was
ing the leaves on the trees and every
thing was quiet, there was suddenly
heard voice, which said:
" See how tall and stately am; why,
/ can look down on all the trees around
me. Surely l must be the grandest of
all trees"
The trees all rustled their leaves and
wondered who it was that was talking;
even the fish and frogs looked up to see
who had broken the stiffness of the
woods with such a boastful voice.
Again it was heard to say:
Just see how l tower way above
them ALL"
"Well, declare, there is that old
pine-tree boasting of its stateliness,"
said a sturdy oak; just let the ship
builder send to this region for the
longest tree, as he wants to use it for
a ship he is building. The wood-cut-
tiers will come and see him in all his
glory and decide he is Just what is
wanted, and soon men will be at work
with saws, and then where will be his
glory?"
AS for that" said the pine, "I'm
sure that would not be so bad, to be so
important part of the ship"
But" said the oak, elf / am not
quite as tall as you, / certainly have
more to be proud of than you, for my
foliage is much handsomer, and then,
too, bear nuts, which are food for
squirrels, rabbits, pigs and other
animals"
Listen to that foolish talk" said
the chestnut. "True, l don't always
grow perfectly straight, but l know
that my leaves are fully as handsome as
those of the oak, and as to nuts, why
my nuts are not only good for animals
to eat, but am highly priced by chill
dren, and adults, too, are very fond of
my sweet nuts. And in the fall when
they are ripe what sport the girls and
boys have when they come to gather
my nuts"
A very fine orchard was quite near
the woods where these trees stood, and
they, too, joined in the conversation.
First the cherry-tree told of its luscious,
ripe fruit, and how highly it was priced.
Especially, you know" said the
months my fruit ripens in time to be
a rival to the much-sought-for straw
berry, and am very highly priced"
oh, dear!' said the peach, chow
soon you are forgotten when the warm
sun begins to put color on my cheeks.
And who does not prefer peach to a
cherry?"
True, very true!" said the pear,
but you are so very delicate that you
can't stand any rough handling, and
soon after being picked you begin to
show decay. Now, | will keep for
long time, and long after you have been
forgotten | give pleasure with my deli
cious flavor"
Well, l declare' said the apple
tree, you may all boast of your de-
licacy and fine flavor, but none of you
ever give such solid comfort on win
ter's evening as good apple. And
whoever thinks of you when there is
snow on the ground?"
A large evergreen which stood near
the wall separating the woods from the
orchard had listened to all this squa-
bling, and just when they were getting
much excited, said:
My friends, your are all right about
your merits. and each of you has his
own place to fill in this world, and no
doubt think me unworthy of comparing
myself with you. But wait until next
Christmas time; where will your glory
be then? You will be standing here
all bare, and not sign of leaf on
your branches, much less your much
talked-of fruit. Then is the time |
look best. | then am just as green as
/ am to-day, and then am cut down
and used for Christmas tree.
:" And such fruits as | bear then
nuts, apples, oranges, candy, books,
toys and sometimes very costly rings
and bracelets. And. to crown all,
am covered with wax candles which,
when burning, make all who behold
me eXclaim, 80, how beautiful And
my friends, think, after all, make
the most people happy and therefore
| am the grandest of all of you, at least
/ am sure the little boys and girls will
think so."-Selected.